BACKGROUND

It has been confirmed by several clinical trials that the fentanyl patch causes less adverse events than sustained-release oral morphine, and after rotation. However, there has been no evidence comparing the fentanyl patch with controlled-release oral oxycodone in terms of adverse events.

OBJECTIVE

We prospectively investigated the reduced effects of adverse events caused by sustained-release oral morphine and controlled-release oxycodone after rotating to the fentanyl patch in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

METHODS

Metastatic breast cancer patients requiring sustained-release oral morphine or controlled-release oral oxycodone(n=9, 2 taking oral morphine, 7 taking oral oxycodone, mean age, 57. 5 years)were recruited. Those experiencing adverse events from oral morphine or oral oxycodone were administered a fentanyl patch.

RESULTS

The pain score was reduced significantly at the 4th week. The fentanyl patch was associated with significantly less nausea, vomiting, constipation, sleepiness and dizziness over the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggested that the fentanyl patch can reduce adverse events caused by sustained-release oral morphine as well as controlled-release oral oxycodone.